inspiration from Virgil’s Aeneid
and Christopher Marlowe’s
Queen of Carthage
Photo: Tuna Uysal
Photo: Ebru Ceren Uzun
on Company RAu's DIDO
premiered in the 26th Istanbul Theater Festival by IKSV performance language: English run time: 60′
Dido is a solo multi-disciplinary performance by Istanbul-based choreographer/performer Korhan Basaran that reflects the myth of Dido and Aeneas using elements of dance, theater, new music and video projection to explore themes of human desire, frustration and heartbreak.
Basaran takes the audience on a journey in collaboration with Tolga Yayalar’s original composition and Ataman Girisken’s projection design deep into Dido’s mind as she falls in love and is ultimately destroyed by her own desire and loyalty. Language is an extension of movement as Basaran’s body softens, explodes, ducks, hides, and accuses, showing us how Dido’s mind grasps at the realization of her betrayal. Girisken uses video projection and Yayalar uses sound to redefine the stage space with simple, bold clean imagery with a constantly traveling sound that shifts our perception of time and space as we descend deeper and deeper into this dream poem of theatrical experience.
Dido’s text has been re-written by Basaran with inspiration from Virgil’s Aeneid and Christopher Marlowe’s Dido; Queen of Carthage.
Photos: Julia Kampichler
what people said ABOUT DIDO
With Basaran’s interpretation of Dido, he continues to write a tradition that has captivated countless generations to date and, judging by the audience reaction, continues to emotionally grip them today.
Elisabeth Ritonja
European Cultural News
Basaran condenses the action to the last moments of Dido’s life, after she has been abandoned by Aeneas, and makes visible all the emotions that heartbreak can bring.
Elisabeth Ritonja
European Cultural News
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